Multi Ball Training: Pros and Cons

MBT is great for all levels of play. even when learning hand-eye coordination and swing mechanics. from a beginner pov, they can't get a consistent rally going so there's no point trying to go into a rally with them.

so MBT can just feed them balls and get them used to the swing and it won't matter where the ball lands (at first).

the tempo depends on how good the feeder is. as for ball positioning...that is a bit more tricky. usually a bucket in the middle of the table fixes that and you can feed about half the table from positioning....again it depends on the skill of the feeder.

Our Korean club 2300+ are still on Multiball as part of their training. It is dificult in a 1 on 1 to replicate the wide angles and speed of ball, nor is it possible to create the smash smash balls alternating to each corner that develop or maintain anticipation and quick movement in that kind of overload timespan.

it's a lot of learning the feel on how to feed the ball. i know i had so much trouble switching between those short and long pushes. i really think that it actually helped my real game too by doing a lot of feeding.

man... i need that drill at 4:19

multiball alone is no good. it should be partnered with table drills and service practice and receiving

That would depend on the coach and the type of training they're giving along with the intentions of your friend.  In China when they train the kids, some schools will encourage them not to play any games until they've drilled all aspects of basics into them.  Then they start schooling gameplay and tactics when they know their basics and footwork form a solid foundation for them to learn off of.  However you have to take into account that those kids are learning for different reasons such as trying to become world class players to pull their families out of poverty so they need world class training.  If your friend falls in this category where he's trying to become serious professional player, then I would follow the coach if he's really intent on taking him to that level and your friend is committed to actually wanting to go that far.  That decision will usually come between your friend and his coach since your friend is the one dropping that much money and time into it.  Your friend needs to assess the situation accordingly to what he's getting coaching quality wise, per what his goal is (professional? amateur? playing for fun?), per the time/money/effort spent. 

Edited by Rack - 09/10/2011 at 6:13am

a good multiball session is not only consist of drills for speed but also adaptation to changes in speed and pace of the ball. if somebody feeds you with balls of the same speed then its not enough.. there are also drills that needs to be slowed down. multiball drill is very versatile you can adjust the speed, to say that it is unrealistic because of the speed is to miss the point on what it is for and things that are really done

let me elaborate on what i stated. the quality of shots that you stated because of a high level feeder and a low level opponent can be altered. that is why i said there is a variation of speed, pace and also the spin. a good multiball not only does that but also deals with specific situations where height of the bounce changes and putting in random circumstances. to say multiball is unrealistic is not entirely true. though you do not depend on the multiball for you to master the situations you will encounter including your opponents, it helps you prepare to possible situations that you will encounter possibly. let me use your example of the 1200 vs a player who trains in multiballs. you have not stated the level of the player nor stated how long the latter has been training so it isnt a good comparison. if that 1200 player is a witty player he will win to some extent but only to some extent. practicing against diff opponents will help you but doing multiballs will help you develop faster since you develop your strokes in a better way. 

I think the chinese coaching technique of no games until the basics are down is very sensible. I think it can be applied to amateurs as well, not just people going for world class level.

If you start an average player from scratch, assuming twice a week coaching, it is very possible that well within a year you will have good basic form. The feel might not be there, but at least there is no odd movements or really bad habits. One year (at worst) is not a great deal of time in the long run, and the training would be fun too.

Beginners miss alot, and if you try to rally with them they will get tentative trying not to miss, try to poke at the ball instead of hitting smoothly through, and the form and feel will go out the window. So multiball is great for that. Finally multiball is also less frustrating for beginners, so they are more likely to continue with the sport.

Then at the next level, if you multiball enough or are naturally fast, you will have good "frequency" compared to others at your level, and will not be afraid of rallies, and so you have the option of playing a more patient consistent  topspin game rather than trying to one-shot your opponent because you cant rally. This will lead to faster improvement.

Of course eventually you will start playing games with people who have odd styles. Now because you have the basics down, your perspective changes, and you have more shots which gives you more options for strategies. You might miss the shots at first, but you know they are possible. Now you are on the path to great improvement.

Vassily wrote: I think the chinese coaching technique of no games until the basics are down is very sensible. I think it can be applied to amateurs as well, not just people going for world class level. If you start an average player from scratch, assuming twice a week coaching, it is very possible that well within a year you will have good basic form. The feel might not be there, but at least there is no odd movements or really bad habits. One year (at worst) is not a great deal of time in the long run, and the training would be fun too. Beginners miss alot, and if you try to rally with them they will get tentative trying not to miss, try to poke at the ball instead of hitting smoothly through, and the form and feel will go out the window. So multiball is great for that. Finally multiball is also less frustrating for beginners, so they are more likely to continue with the sport. Then at the next level, if you multiball enough or are naturally fast, you will have good "frequency" compared to others at your level, and will not be afraid of rallies, and so you have the option of playing a more patient consistent  topspin game rather than trying to one-shot your opponent because you cant rally. This will lead to faster improvement. Of course eventually you will start playing games with people who have odd styles. Now because you have the basics down, your perspective changes, and you have more shots which gives you more options for strategies. You might miss the shots at first, but you know they are possible. Now you are on the path to great improvement.

There is another advantage that I forgot about, multiball allows a coach of inferior playing ability, to train with a high level player.

I dont think you need to worry too much about trying to beat a 1200 player. So instead of trying to beat a 1200, then 1300, etc etc climbing up the ladder, it is better to give them a solid foundation which is good enough to beat say a 1800. Then it is just a question of match experience, which can be acquired by league matches, and their rating will rocket up in a matter of months. So they start slow (actually stationary), but go up fast.

For off tempo shots, it is better to be fast (high frequency), than slow, since if you are fast you feel absolutely no time pressure for each of the (slower) off tempo shots. Then it becomes a problem of finding the right timing while having plenty of time. This is much easier than finding the right timing while feeling rushed for time.




Edited by Vassily - 09/11/2011 at 6:24am

They have the tools to beat the pips, its just a lack of experience, which can easily be solved.

As for Yogi...

Edited by Rack - 09/11/2011 at 5:43pm